We know what you’re thinking - the holiday season is already so busy, why on earth would we add decluttering our home to the to-do list NOW?
The lead-up to the holidays is actually one of the best times to declutter your home. Between the colder weather and time away from work, school, and activities, we are all about to spend more time than usual in our homes. We’re also likely to increase the volume of items in our homes, which can create major stress and overwhelm.
This combination makes it the best time to take stock of what you own and decide what things are adding value to your life versus what is just taking up physical and mental space. Decluttering can be a clarifying exercise to help you feel more at ease this holiday season and kick off the new year with a clean slate. Here’s how to do it!
how to declutter
Decide where you’re going to start. Whether it’s one room or area at a time, pick a zone and start reviewing the items that live there. We recommend starting with a space that has a lot of function and practicality, like a kitchen or bathroom. Save the areas with items that have sentimental value for later. This gives you time to practice the decision-making process before having to decide on more challenging items. If you need help deciding what to do with those categories, we have a whole blog dedicated to decluttering the tough stuff. It really is amazing once you get the hang of making choices, it's like ripping off a band-aid. It gets easier and easier! Not to mention, more and more satisfying!
Set up bags or boxes for toss, recycle, sell, and donate. If you’d like to pass items along to specific organizations, friends, or family members, that’s great! Grab those extra reusable tote bags (we all have way too many of!) and post-it notes to designate those categories as well.
Sage Wisdom: If your kids are home, get them involved! This is a great opportunity to teach your little ones about decluttering, sharing, and gifting. Help counter the constant consumerism by balancing in some giving back. Lessons like this will serve them for the rest of their lives, might as well start early!
6 questions to ask yourself (other than ‘does it spark joy?’)
1. Is this item serving me?
Furniture serves you by giving you a place to sit. Coats keep us warm. But a coat I haven’t worn in four years? The stack of twelve folding chairs I only ever use one of? These things are no longer serving us. They’re forgotten remnants of a past life, holding our space hostage.
2. Does it have a purpose?
A few extra lightbulbs, two spatulas, my doormat. These things are not thrilling, but they have purpose. A pencil cup you received as a gift but have never used…it’s okay to let it go!
3. Is it earning real estate in my home?
New York City real estate is some of the most expensive in the country. Are you really willing to pay for a bigger apartment to house a bunch of stuff you haven’t used in five years?! Noodle on that…
4. Was this item my style several years ago, but maybe no longer fits within my current style?
It's amazing how many people we’ve come across that say, “I used to love that.” We’re allowed to evolve. Give your wardrobe permission to do the same.
5.Do I consistently reach for a similar item instead? Is this one always the second choice that never actually gets used?
“Variations on a theme” is a very real problem. Clients love a pair of black pants, but have 45 nearly identical pairs… just in case. Just in case of what, pray tell? Most people have one or two or we’ll even give you three of something that they love and gravitate towards and the others sit, collecting dust, waiting for their turn, never to be used. Because by the time they would, laundry and dry cleaning have come back and those top three picks are freshly pressed and ready to be worn again. If you have a category like this where you have many similar items, try to be critical in considering how often the backups get worn.
6. Could someone else use this item? Is this someone else’s first choice?
Our 6th question is closely connected to question 5. If you have 45 nearly identical pairs of black pants, and you wear 5 of them, could someone else use those other 40 pairs of black pants? Maybe someone out there has been searching their local donation center just waiting for the perfect pair of black pants to show up that will be their first choice, every time!
Where to take Items that no longer serve you
One of the toughest parts of decluttering is dealing with the items you have decided not to keep. If you suspect you will have a lot of items to toss or recycle, we recommend scheduling your decluttering plans around trash/recycling days to minimize the time those bags will have to remain in your home.
If you’re hoping to drop items off at a donation center (or schedule a pick up), Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity are all well-known, reputable, and often convenient organizations.
If you’re in NYC, here are some lesser-known places to take your donations that will ensure your things have a second life:
Housing Works- great for clothing and decor items
Grow NYC- great for textile recycling like old socks, ripped t-shirts and worn out sheets
Pick up Please- great for toys, books, household items, and more!
Local Facebook Buy Nothing Groups
If you want more details, our Professional Organizer’s Guide to Decluttering Every Space in Your Home has more specifics on donation centers, as well as an even more detailed list of items they accept and are specifically looking for!
We hope you’re feeling motivated to clear out a few unused items from your home. Whether you’re tossing old junk mail, re-gifting something to a friend, or letting go of clothing that no longer feels like you, wrapping up the year with a decluttering project can help you feel lighter and ready to take on the New Year. If you keep these six decluttering questions in the back of your mind whenever something new comes into your home, the process becomes effortless—no second-guessing, no overwhelm. With these questions as your guide, you’ll set yourself up for a space that stays organized and clutter-free all year long.
If you can’t get to it before Christmas, there’s still time before the ball drops.
If you can’t get to it before that, you can always call us ;)
Still searching for the perfect practical gift for someone in your life that won’t turn into next year’s clutter?
Check out our Professional Organizer’s Gift Guide for useful and creative ideas for everyone on your list. Happy Holidays!